Dec 17, 2023 By Rick Shrum 4 min read

CHROME Federal Credit Union has been nationally recognized.

A Washington County staple, CHROME learned last spring that it was the Pennsylvania and New Jersey recipient of the 2023 Dora Maxwell Corporate Social Responsibility & Service Award, named by Cross State Credit Union Association.

CHROME subsequently represented the Keystone State nationally in the $50 million to $200 million asset category, and finished in second place – the only Pennsylvania credit union to be so honored by the Credit Union National Association,.

This award recognizes the involvement of credit unions and local chapters in community projects and activities.

CHROME said in a news release. “CUNA awards bestow the highest honors to credit unions making a difference.” The organization’s focus in 2022 “was on community connectedness through service and education, which were at the center of every event, sponsorship, outreach, program and volunteering effort made by (its) leadership team, employees, volunteer board of directors and Supervisory Committee.

CHROME employees averaged 17 hours of service, hosting three blood drives with 78 blood donations; assisted the Washington County Salvation Army in distributing 172,800 pounds of produce to to help fight food insecurity; and to support eight school districts through sports, academic and theater sponsorships; donations and financial literacy programs; and provided vocational resources and speakers to students interested in finance, cybersecurity, and marketing.

84 Lumber

North Strabane Township-based 84 Lumber has built a formidable amount of goodwill with Mississippi residents still reeling from a tornado .

The company recently partnered with ABC-TV’s “Good Morning America” to surprise the nonprofit Rolling Fork Rising with a donation of $25,000 in building materials and $100,000 in funds to help build homes for families in Rolling Fork, which was devastated by a twister in March. Another $2,000 was donated in appreciation of community heroes.

“It was an honor to partner with ‘Good Morning America’ to celebrate an incredible story about resilience, teamwork and community,” Amy Smiley, 84 Lumber’s vice president of marketing, said in a statement:: “At 84 Lumber, we help build America. So, it’s a great privilege to support the mission of Rolling Fork Rising, and to help individuals and organizations most in need.”

Smiley added that “while we are the nation’s largest privately held supplier of building materials, we are foremost a family-owned company, and we put people and the communities that we serve as our first priority.”

Robert Woodrow, divisional vice president for 84 Lumber, and Matt Watkins, area manager of the company, helped to deliver the news to the community.

Health care

– The Women’s Institute at Allegheny Health Network announced Monday that the state Department of Health has recognized the institute’s labor and delivery programs at AHN West Penn and AHN Wexford hospitals for excellence in breastfeeding support to new birthing parents and their families.

These programs have joined AHN Forbes and Jefferson hospitals as designated Keystone 10 facilities for their care, and for their ongoing efforts to promote and support breastfeeding.

Shelley Taft, manager of maternal child support services at AHN West Penn, said in a statement that the Bloomfield-based facility, “the network’s flagship for maternity care,” offers comprehensive prenatal breastfeeding classes, access to certified lactation consultants, phone consultations, mandatory education for nurses, obstetricians and pediatricians, post-discharge support, and promotion of 24-hour rooming in.

– Highmark Health has announced the appointments of new financial leaders at two of its subsidiary organizations.

Brian Devine, chief financial officer for enGen, has been named AHN’s new CFO. Melissa Stephens Williamson, senior vice president for Strategic Programs and Operations for Highmark Health, will succeed Devine as enGen’s CFO.

AHN is a Western Pennsylvania-based health care provider system, and enGen (formerly HM Health Solutions) is a Pittsburgh-based health technologies company.

Devine will report to AHN president Jim Benedict and oversee the network’s financial performance.

Allegheny Conference

Allegheny Conference on Community Development has announced that David L. Holmberg, president and CEO of Highmark Health and chairman of the board of Highmark Inc., will become chairman of the Allegheny Conference, effective Jan. 1. He will serve a three-year term.